John Thompson reported for Excel skipper Justin Fleck January 22: “Another great day on the water yesterday, the weather backed off and we had clear and sunny skies, the fish started biting around 4 A.M. and we ended up putting 47 tuna on the boat with two of them being cows. After the morning flurry we motored around looking for some Wahoo and ended the day with 31 on the boat and another shot at some tuna in the later afternoon. Still some good signs of tuna and wahoo around, hopefully that will be the trend for the rest of the trip. It's 4:45 A.M. and folks are already at the rail trying to get the party started.”

New Seeker Owner

“We want to give a shout out and congratulations to Excel Passenger and new owner of Seeker Fishing Rods, Mr. Eric Maulhardt,” said an Excel Facebook posting January 22.

“The Excel has used and proudly still uses Seeker Rods on all of our rental, loaner, trolling and kite set ups on-board (custom wrapped Excel colors).

“With the purchase of Seeker Rods, Mr. Maulhardt has ensured the long-standing tradition by Seeker Rods of proudly being Made in America.

“Congratulations again, Eric, see you at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach (3/5 to 3/9)!”

Schoolie Yellows Bite

Intrepid skipper Billy Santiago Jr. posted for January 22: “Currently we are all set to have seafood feast aboard the Intrepid. Our passengers once again had an all day Breaking Bad marathon in the galley. We made a brief stop for about 45 minutes and picked up 130 yellowtail! We had up to 15 hanging at one time and they really wanted the yoyo! Now for the highlight of the day, Seafood Fiesta night! Crab, lobster, steak, tuna, scallops…”

Andy talks tuna strategy, the bite is on, weather’s picture-perfect. Tangle with tuna from sunup to sundown on this fly-home special adventure! Brandon shows how to get bit fast and often, fishing from the bow. Jack and Brandon show and tell how to bring these huge, muscular fish to the boat. Top the holds off with some jigging and baitfishing for feisty wahoo, when there’s just enough space left to slip skinnies between the tuna in the fish holds.

This exceptional video features riveting footage shot in the Sony 35mm AVHC format, with super color and clarity. The DVD also features underwater footage by chartermaster Jack Nilsen, illustrative on-the-spot photos, and some cool new music. Skipper Cates offers much knowledge about tracking tuna, picking out the biters and capitalizing on their habits.

Calm November seas and a remarkably green Clarion Island set this scenario. Excellent fishing offered many hours of footage, now edited down to an hour of fast-paced action, including red and gold tropical dawn scenes, to spice the down and dirty struggles at the rail with fast-biting tuna up to 275 pounds. Two rookies not only realize their 100-pound goals, they’re rewarded with cow tuna over 200 pounds! Whopper yellowfin are biting hard and fast. Five-alarm excitement, good times and great fishing—see Driftfishing Big Tuna!